You will need to make a decision about how you will carry out the first contact attempt. Some questions for you to consider include:
Will you send a paper communication and, if so, which one?
A CCB may encourage individuals to use the alternative response channels you have in place. An increase in the use of these channels may result in cost savings and reduce the resources you need to provide for processing responses. The demographic of your electors and how likely they are to have access to the different response channels should also be taken into account.
A prescribed Canvass Form may be familiar to electors, which may encourage individuals to respond at the first contact stage. Remember that even if you do not receive a response at the first contact stage, if a Canvass Form has been sent as part of the first contact attempt, you are not required to send a further Canvass Form at any subsequent contact attempt.
How will you deliver the paper communication – by hand or by post?
You will need to consider the costs and resource requirements associated with production and delivery for each option.
If delivering by hand, will you combine it with a personal visit?
Where you are delivering canvass communications by hand, you could attempt a personal visit to the property (door knock) first. This attempt to make personal contact with an individual at the property will meet the Route 2 requirement of making at least one personal contact. If there is no answer at the property, you could then deliver the canvass communication.
You will need to ensure you identify, recruit and train sufficient canvassers for the geographical spread and number of properties requiring Route 2 canvass communications.